Friend-blessed

For such a short month, February was jam-packed with wonderful time spent with friends far and near! I had visitors from Virginia, Wisconsin, Massachussets and West Texas. Kristi, Cara and I actually managed to meet for lunch this month, and we spent a lot of family time together at the lake. (In fact, both of their families are there again this weekend. Darren and I popped in last night for a surprise visit, but we didn't stay overnight. Come to think of it, last weekend, we just went for the day on Saturday - didn't stay overnight then either.) A couple of weeks ago, we took our husbands out to eat and then bowling. Good times, good times.

I've curtailed my computer time drastically this month, so I haven't been chatting as much as I usually do, but I've had long phone conversations instead... with friends from Oregon, California, Ohio, San Antonio and Alabama, to name a few. I generally dislike the phone, but this month, I have to admit that I've enjoyed the conversations it has allowed me. :)

Dani and I have gotten back into the habit of having regular date nights, once a week. It's so good for our relationship. It gets us out of the house so that I'm not distracted by my stuff and she's not distracted by her phone. :) I love those date nights with my daughter. I know that when she's all grown up, we're still gonna love hanging out together, and that is just the most wonderful feeling. She's gonna make a great friend for me in my old age. LOL!

My sister moved away, and while that broke my heart, it's all good. She seems happy every time we talk, which ISN'T OFTEN ENOUGH, BOBBIE! Your turn to call, you turkey! And you haven't blogged, either. Hmpf! Don't MAKE me take a road trip!! How lucky I am that my sister is also my friend. I bought her a Valentine's card that I still haven't gotten mailed. It says that very thing.

Today, I was going to make a quick trip to Louisiana to surprise a group of my online friends who are at a scrapbooking retreat there. But ALAS!! Darren was in a car accident on Wednesday and now we're down to one car for awhile, so I had to call off my trip. WAH!! I so wanted to surprise Jo, Kris, Jackie and Theresa and hug them all tight. And I was excited about meeting new friends there, too. Oh well. There'll be other times.

Then there's Karen, my beautiful best buddy from long ago whom I still love from the very depths of my heart even though we seldom see each other anymore. Our lives have gone off in different directions, and we never seem to get together, even though we talk of it often and WANT to see each other. Karen comments on my blog more often than anyone, and it's almost like getting to see her everyday. Thanks, Karen. I love you!!

Michelle and Walt (Grammy and Pap to you locals) are always here, loving my kids and caring deeply about our family. I still thank God regularly for bringing us all together six years ago. It's as if we've known each other forever. I often regret that we don't spend more time together, because when we ARE together, I love it so much. They encourage me without trying. They love me without conditions. They are simply one of my life's greatest blessings.

It's amazing to me when I think about the abundance of friends I have. I really am hugely blessed in that area. Thanks to God for lavishly gifting me with so many beautiful people who love me and make me a better person because of it. :)